Assiqnob to johnson fabe box co



Jan. 22, 1929. 1,699,930

E. H. THOMPSON SOLENOID OPERATED FARE REGISTER Filed Jan. 21, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet l Ev m5- Jan. 22, 1929. 1,699,930

E. H. THOMPSON SOLENOID OPERATED FARE REGISTER Filed Jan. 21, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 i Z i z @iu'i ,Dl i

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E. H. THOMPSON SOLENOID OPERATED FARE REGISTER Filed Jan. 21, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 22, 1929. 1,699,930

E. H. THOMPSON SOLENOID OPERATED FARE REGISTER Filed Jan. 21, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 EZ /0 Z Jan. 22, 1929. 1,699,930

E. H. THOMPSON SOLENOID OPERATED FARE REGISTER Filed Jan. 21, 1924 6 She etS-Sheet 5 31 /Z '31 5 /5 INQULATION Jan. 22, 1929. 1,699,930

E. H. THOMPSON SOLENOID OPERATED FARE REGISTER Filed Jan. 21, 1924 6 Sheets-sheet 6 EVFTTI I I m l A l 3 Patented Jan. 22, 1929.

UNlTED=-..., STATES ERNEST H. THOMPSON, OF EVANS'ION, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

sounom-ornna'rnn FARE momma.

Application filed January 21, 1924. Serial No. 687,590.

ally improve such types of fare boxes in simplicity of construction and accuracy in operation with provision for causing several actuations of the register while coins of a higher denomination are passing through the fare box. i

It is a furtherpbject of this invention to provide mechanism for establishing a second or final circuit for controlling the fare register when a coin is deposited in the fare box for preventing injur to the coin.

With these and 0t er objects in view which will become more apparent in the following description and disclosures in the drawings, this invention comprises the novel mechanism and combinations hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

. In the accompanying drawings, which'illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features in the different views: 7

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the fare box upon a supporting pedestal.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the fare box.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus. V

Figure 4 is an enlarged interior'view of the fare box with the cover removed.

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of the final-switch.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view through the fare box.

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view through the coin chute and adjacent operating mechanism.

Figure 8 is a reduced elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view upon the line 9'9 of Figure 7 with parts in elevation."

Figure 10 is an enlarge fragmentary secl ional view of certain parts showing the mov able carriage with parts in elevation.

Figure 11 is an enlarged plan view of the interior of the coin chute.

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary interior view of the coin chute somewhat similar to Figure 11.

1,699,930 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHNSON FARE BOX CO.,

Figure 13 is an enlarged part sectional and part elevational View of the swingable contacts and support therefor.

Figure 14 is an enlarged sectional view upon the line 1414 of Figure 7 with parts in elevation.

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary. sectional view through the fare box illustrating certain features.

Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional view 6 through the coin receiving receptacle of the fare box.

Referring to the drawings, it will be noted that the fare box 1 is provided with a coin slot 2 in its upper end which communicates with 7 an interior passage or chute 3 formed by a pair of parallel plates 4 and 5 or the like. The box may be designed for receiving any denominations of coins. In the present instance", it is however, designed for receiving nickels and dimes. When a coin is dropped into the fare box, it will descend until it rests upon a pair of spaced electrical post contacts 6 supported in an insulated block 6" as shown in. Figures 7 and 11, whereby a preliminary} electrical circuit will be completed between said contacts through said coin.

Referring now briefly to Figure 3, it will be noted that the bridging of the contacts 6 will establish a circuit through a solenoid 7 and through a fare register R which will make one registration. As these electrically operated fare registers are old and well known, it has been deemed unnecessary to illustrate the same more fully. A final circuit 9 is established by bringing the contacts 14 and 15 together through the action of the solenoid as will later appear.

Energization of the solenoid will elevate the depending core rod 8 (Fig. 4) which reciprocates in a guide 9 which is suitably slotted for the projecting stud 10 on the core end. A lever 11 pivoted intermediate its ends as at 12 has a bifurcated end for. receiving the stud 10 and yieldingly maintained by a spring 12 as shown in Fig. 4. An arm 13 of conducting material is secured co-axially of the pivot 12 of the lever 11 for conjoint movement with said lever. The end of this arm is bevelled as indicated at 13 for a purpose to be later set forth. This arm is adapt ed for engagement with amovable member 14 having a forward bevelled end 14*. The arm 14 is secured upon a pol gonal bushing rotatably mounted upon stu 14" extending from an insulated block (Fig. 15 a switch lever 14 is also secured upon the bushing of stud 14 for moving over a contact 15 (Fig. 5). The upper end of the lever 14" is bevelled for this purpose. It is evident that rotation of the lever 14 will actuate the switch contact lever 14 for moving over contact 15 for establishing said final circuit. A spring may be used to return the switch contact lever as will later appear. The interposition of this final circuit will prevent damage and injury to the coins, especially the dimes as will later more fully appear.

A link 16 is connected to the outer end of the lever 11 (Figs. 4, 6 and 15). The upper end of this link is connected to a reciprocating carriage 17 which is in the form of a box-like member having its sides provided with apertured lugs 17 for receiving the vertical guide rods 18. These vertical guide rods 18 are supported between the horizontal flanges 19 formed upon the wall 5 of the coin chute. 'As the outer end of the lever 11 is pulled downwardly, the carriage 17 will be drawn downwardly as shown in dotted lines in Figure 7.

A pair of vertically spaced rods 20 are carried by the side walls of the carriage and a pair of coin ejectors or impellers 21 and 22 are respectively mounted upon said rods; These coin impellers are in the form of plates having apertured lugs 23 depending from their upper lateral sides for receiving the rods 20. Springs 24 are coiled around the rod between said lugs, one end of each spring engaging the bottom of the plate while the other end engages the wall of the carriage 17. The normal tendency of these springs exerts an upward force against the coin impellers 21 and 22. The lower ends of these coin impellers are bifurcated to form spaced prongs or projections 21 and 22 (Figs. 11 and 12) which project through suitable slots 5 in the wall 5 of the coin chute. The upper coin impeller 21 has a depending shoe which encompasses the lower part of the impeller 22. This shoe is in the form of a pair of depending side flanges 25 which in the present instance are shown as united by an upper web 26 (Fig. 14). The flanges 25 are so spaced that they will pass upon opposite sides of the lower coin impeller 22 and the web 26 only connects the upper portion thereof so as to avoid the" lower impeller 22. The flanges 25 and web 26 are in fact an integral member which may be attached to the upper coin impeller in any suitable way or may be integral therewith. These depending flanges project through the slots 5 in the wall of the chute for a purpose that will later appear. A coin impeller retractor in the form of a boss or block 27 is positioned upon the outer side of the wall 5 of the chute as shown in Figs. 7 9 and 12. This block is adapted for engaging under the coin impeller 22 at certain times during the movement of the latter for retracting the same to with-' draw its prongs 22 from the actuating plane of the coins. The impeller 21 is cut away along a vertical plane as at 21" (Figures 7 and 9) so that it will pass unaffected over the abutment 27 as will later more fully apear.

A U-shaped bracket 28 having its web socured to the wall 4 of the coin passage near the upper end thereof supports a rod 29 in the arms thereof. A second member 30 having upper parallel arms 31 pivoted upon the rod 29, a depending-"reduced portion which is provided with an inwardly offset flange 32 extending into the coin chute and short depending cam'lugs 31* (Fig. 7) at its upper end, is normally spring impelled toward the coin chute. A third member 33 having upper parallel arms 34 pivoted upon the rod 29 and a depending reduced portion provided with an inturned coin engaging and stripper flange 35 which extends toward the coin chute, is normally spring impelled toward said coin chute. An oppositely positioned U-shaped swingable frame member 36 has its parallel arms or sides pivoted upon the rod 29 and supports the aforementioned insulated block 6 in which the contact rods 6 are secured. The sides of this swingable frame member are provided with cam surfaces 37 (Fig. 7) which slope downwardly and inwardly toward the coin chute. The swinging frame is normally spring impelled to cause the contact posts 6 to extend into the coin chute through the slots 5. Springs 30*, 33 and 36 are wound around the rod 29, one end of each spring engages a rod 28 carried by the member 28, the other ends of these springs respectively engage the members 30, 33 and 36 for urging their lower ends toward the coin chute.

A pair of parallel arms 38 in the form of extensions on the sides of the carriage 17 project through suitable slots 39 in the walls 4 and 5 of the coin chute. The ends of these arms are connected by a shaft 40 having a roller 41 thereon which is positioned against the cam surfaces and under the cam lugs 31 for normally holding the flanges 32 and '35 out of the confines of the coin chute. It

will therefore be evident that as the carriage 17 descends, the roller 41 willride down the cam surfaces 37 and cause the swinging fran'ie 36 to swing outwardly on the pivot rod 29 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, whereby the contact posts 6 will be withdrawn from the coin chute, at the same time releasing the cam lugs 31 for releasing the members 30 and 33 allowingthe springs 30 and 33 to swing said members towards the coin chute so that the flange 32 may press the dime towards the back of the chute where it may be engaged by the impellers, and the flange 35 may act as a stripper to prevent wardly into dotted line 3 communicates with a coin chamber or receptacle 42 situated therebelow as shown in Fig. 16. This chamber has a stationary coin deflector 43 and a movable coin support 44 pivoted at 45 and connected to an-operating link 46 which has its lower end slidably' supported and guidedby a slot 47 in which a pivot pin 48 on said link operates. A link 49 is connected at one end to the pivot pin 48. The other end of the link 49 is slidablv connected by means of a slot 50 to a stud 5lsccured upon abutment 52 secured to a door 53 hinged to the lower end of the receptacle. The door is provided with an operating handle 54 and a coil spring 55 upon the supporting pivot of the door normally urges the door into closed position.

It will be apparent that the coins will be deflected by the surface 43 in their descent in the coin receptacle and will be arrested by the support 44 for the purpose of inspection through the transparent face 42 of the coin receptacle. The stud 48 lies in the path. of the lever 11 as shown in Fig. 4 so that as the said lever is actuated by the solenoid, the link 46 will be drawn downwardly for operating the coin arrester 44 for releasing the coin sustained thercabove; the slot 50 allowing the link 49 to shift for the purpose. When it is desired to remove coins from the coin rereceptacle for making change orfor any other purpose. it is only necessary to grasp the handle 54 and swing the door downwardly. This movement of the door will also cause the coin support 44 connected therewith to swing downwardly and release the coin thereabove.

Operation.

l-Vhen a nickel is dropped into the coin chute, it will descend until it rests upon the posts 6 thereby completing the circuit to the solenoid as before explained. Energization of the solenoid will-raise the core rod 8 for establishingthe final circuit through the switch 14 and 15 as previously explained, and the lever 11 will shift the stud 48 for releasing the coin on the rest 44. At the same time. the carriage 17 will be pulled downwardly asshown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, for swinging the frame 36 and contacts 6 outposition allowing the members 30 and 33 to move inwardly. so that the flange 32 may frictionally engage and retain the nickel. As the carriage 17 moves downwardly the lower impeller 22 will be held in retracted position by the abutment 27 so that it will not engage over the top of the nickel which is represented by the reference numeral 56 in the drawing. The upper impeller 21 which has groove or cut out portion for receiving the abutment 27 will, owever, descend with the shoe or side flanges 25 projecting into the coin chute t'or engaging over the nickel and ejecting it past the flange 35 which has an inner bevelled edge for facilitating such ejection and which can also be swung outwardly upon the pivot 29 it necessary. The shoe 25 will eject the nickel free of all engaging parts as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1l.so thatit may drop in the coin rcccptacle.

It will of course be understood that as soon as the circuit is completed by the nickel, the register R will be actuated for making one registration and recording the same.

As the solenoid is elevated, the arm 13011 the lever 11 which actuates the switch lever 14 will swing past the same, allowing the spring 57 to withdraw the upper switch lever 14 to inoperative position as shown in Fig. 5 whereupon the circuit is broken, and the solenoid (lo-energized. When the solenoid is de-cnergized. the core rod 8 will drop by gravity since it is designed to overbalancc the weight of the carriage as connected thereto. As the core rod descends, the lever 11 will be returned-to initial position, the bevelled end of the arm 13 riding past the bevelled end of the switch lever 14 which may be forced inwardly against the tension of the spring 14 (Fig. 15). At the same time, the carriage 1.7 will ascend, allowing the spring 36' to swing the frame 36 back to normal position as shown in, full lines in Fig. 7, whereby the fare box is in position for receiving another coin. The upper corners of the upper coin impeller 21 are bevelled as shown at 21 and the upper end of the coin slot is correspondingly bevelled as indicated at 3 so that the impellers will 'be cammed out of the coin chute when the carriage reaches its upper limit.

Assume that a dime 58 as shown in Figure 12 is dropped into the fare box. It will bridge the post contacts 6 for energizing the solenoid 7 which will establish the final circuit through the switch 14-15 as previously explained. At the same time,the carriage 17 will be drawn downwardly for swinging the frame 36 outwardly and bringing the coin impellers into action and allowing the dime pressure 3032 and the stripper 3335 to move into operative position. It will of course be understood that as soon as the circuit is closed, the fare register will make one registration. It is, however, necessary, in the case of a dime, to make a second registration assuming that the nickel-is the unit of registration. Accordingly, as the carriage descends, the lower coin impeller will be held out of ejecting engagement with the dime on account of the block 27, and the side flanges 25 of the upper impeller 21 will pass on each side of the dime, as they are too widely spaced to touch it. The dime will accordingly only be engaged by the prongs 21 of the upper impeller 21 and be shifted about half its diameter as shown in dotted lines in Figure 12. The friction of the flange 32 and that of the flange which bear against the dime will hold the same as shown in dotted line position in Fig. 12. When the carriage has completed its descent, the switch .14-15 will be broken, and the solenoid 7 Will be de-energized as previously explained. Thethe contact posts 6 thuswise strike against the dime, the circuit will again be completed for energizing the solenoid and causing a second registration of the fare register R. The carriage 17 will descend again and swing the frame 36 outwardly and close the switch 143-155; the flanges 32 and 35 moving in to hold the dime. As the carriage 17 descends, the lower impeller 22 will ride oil the abutment block 27 just before the dime is reached. The lower impeller 22 will then be projected forward by its spring 24 causing its projections 22 to pass through the slot 5 and engage over the dime whereby the dime will be fully ejected'from under the retaining flanges 32 35 during the remaining movement of the carriage. IVhen the carriage has reached the limit of its downward movement, the switch 14:15 will be opened as previously explained, and the solenoid rod will descend whereby the posts are returned to initial or normal position.

It will be understood that while the present fare box is designed for receiving nickels and dimes, the present invention contemplates the use of any two units of different value, one of which requires two actuations of the fare register.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent grantedhereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a fare box having a coin chute, a swin'gable member having contact posts normally positioned in said chute for arresting a deposited coin, a movable carriage having means for swinging said member, coin impellers connected to said carriage for ejecting a deposited coin and means automatically op erated by the deposition of a coin for actuating said carriage.

2. In a fare-box having a coin chute, a

circuit, a slidable carriage having means for engaging and swinging said frame and impellers for engaging-over a deposited coin and ejectingthe same, said carriage being operable by said 'CIICUlt.

3. In a fare box embodying a coin chute, a

swingable frame having spaced electrical conductorsnormally positioned in said chute for arresting a deposited coin and completing. a circuit, a solenoid in said circuit, and a slidable carriage having means for controlling said frame and ejecting a deposited coin actuated by said solenoid.

4. In a fare box embodying a coin chute, the combination with a fare register, of a solenoid, a swingable frame having spaced electrical contacts normally positioned in said chute for arrestinga deposited coin and completing a preliminary circuit through said solenoid, a slidable carriage actuated by said solenoid for swinging said frame and ejecting a coin and means operated by said solenoid for establishing a final circuit through said solenoid after the initial movement of said frame by said carriage.

5. In a fare box embodying a coin chute, a solenoid, coin arresting means within said chute adapted for completing a preliminary circuit through said solenoid through a deposited coin and a device'actuated by said solenoid for removing said coin arresting means from within said chute and establishing a final circuit through said solenoid, means to frictionally retain said coin in said chute, and impelling means adapted to positively eject'said coin upon the removal of said coin arresting means.

6. In a fare box embodying a coin chute, spaced electrical contact members in said chute and supported for movement outwardly beyond said chute, a solenoid having a circuit adapted to be completed by a deposited coin on said contact members, means actuated by said solenoid for removing said contact members from said chute and establishing a-different circuit through said solenoid, means to yieldingly maintain said coin in said chute, and impelling means operable by said solenoid adapted to positively eject said coin upon the withdrawal of said contact member.

7. In a fare box embodying a coin chute, spaced members extending into said chute for arresting a deposited coin, means to yieldingly retain said coin in said chute, a slidable carriage having coin. impellers adapted to extend into said chute and a device for projecting said members beyond said chute and means for actuating said carriage upon the deposition of a coin upon said members.

. 8. In a fare box embodying a coin chute. a solenoid, a pair of contact members normally positioned in said chute for arresting a deposited coin and establishing a circuit through said solenoid, a fare re ister-in said circuit actuated by the closing of said circuit, a movable carriage actuated by said solenoid, and means actuated by said carriage for partially ejecting a coin and breaking said circuit, said means being adapted to re-establish said circuit through said contacts forimparting a second actuation to said fare register and ejecting said coin.

9. In a farebox embodying a coin chute, the combination of a fare register, a solenoid, electrical contact members within said chute for establishing an electrical circuit in connection with a deposited coin through said solenoid and register for actuating the latter, and means cooperating with said members and actuated by said solenoid for breaking said circuit, and means for automatically actuating said first means for re-establishing said circuit through said coin for imparting a second actuation to said fare register.

10. In a fare box embodying a coin chute, the combination with a fare register, of a solenoid, coin arresting means in said chute adapted in connection with a deposited coin for completing a circuit through said fare register and solenoid, and means actuated by said solenoid for progressively ejecting said coin and breaking and re-establishing the circuit therethrough for causing said register to repeat.

11. In a fare box having a coin chute, a fare register, contact members in circuit with said register normally positioned in said chute for intercepting av deposited coin and completing the circuit through said register, a solenoid in circuit with said register, and means actuated by said solenoid for shifting said contact members for breaking said cir cuit, means for retaining said coin in the path of said contact members, and means for returning said contact members to their initial position to again close said circuit.

12. In a fare box embodying a coin chute, the combination with a fare register, movable contact members in said chute adapted ,for arresting a deposited coin and completing the circuit through said register for actuate ing the same and means controlled by the size ofsaid coin for causing said members to automatically break and re-establish said circuit for effecting a second actuation of said register.

13. In a fare box embodying a coin chute, a solenoid, contact members in said chute ada ted for arresting a deposited coin and esta lishing a circuit through said coin and said solenoid, a movable carriage actuated by said solenoid, said carriage having means upon the establishment o said circuit for progressively ejecting a com for the purpose described.

14. In a fare box embodying a coin chute,

coin arresting means in said chute for closin a circuit, a fare register incircuit with sai means, and automatically operated means in cooperation with said first means and governed by the coin arrested by said first means for progressively ejecting said coin and breaking and re-establi'shin g the circuit therethrough for the purpose described.

15. Ina fare box embodying a coin chute, asolenoid, a swingable .frame having a pair of contact members normallypositio'ned in said chute adapted for intercepting .a dcposited coin, said coin closing a circuit through said contact members and said solenoid, a shiftable carriage actuated by said solenoid and embodying a pair of arms for shifting'said frame and a pair of coin im pellers actuated by said carriage having means extending into said guideway for en gaging over a deposited coin for ejecting the same.

16. In a fare box having a coin chute and a register therein, electrically operated means ing a carriage having a pair of coin impellers projectin in said chute, means for maintaining one oIsaid impellers for a portion of its stroke out of said chute for the purpose set forth and means associated with said first means for actuating-said register.

17. In a fare box embodying a coin chute and a register therein, electrically operated.

and a second impeller for completely ejecting said coin upon the second downward movement thereof and means associated with said first means for actuating said register.

19. In a fare box having a coin chute, a I

solenoid, a swingable frame having coin arresters normally positioned in said chute for intercepting a deposited coin and establishing a circuit through said solenoid, a switch, a movable carriage, a lever actuated by said solenoid for closing said switch and shifting said carriage, said carriage embodying projecting arms for swinging said frame and a coin e ector for engaging and ejecting a coin from said chute.

20. In a fare box embodying a chute, a solenoid, a fare register, a swingable frame having a pair of electrical contacts normally autofor ejecting coins from said chute compris-' matically projected into said chute for intercepting a, deposited coin and establishing a preliminary circuit through said solefor swinging said frame and progressively ejecting a com, and means for estabhslnng a final circuit through said solenoid and c011- tacts upon movement of said frame.

21. In afare box having a coin chute, the combination with a fare register, of an electrical circuit including a movable contact member for contact with a deposited coin for actuating said register, and means for actuating said movable member and re-establishing said circuit through said coin to repeat the reigstration.

22. In a fare box embodying a coin chute, a fare register, a coin ejector, an electrical noid and. register, a movable carriage actuv ated by said solenoid, and comprising means circuit for operating said register and ejector, said circuit including a deposited coin, and a contact member movable into and out of said chute, and means for retaining a coin of predetermined size in said chute after partial rejection thereof for causing a second energization of said circuit.

23. In a device of the class described, a coin chute, coin arresting means in said chute, a register in circuit with said means, said circuit adapted to be closed by a deposited coin, means for breaking said circuit after -the actuation of said register, and means governed b the size of said coin for reestablishing sai circuit-through said coin.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ERNEST H. THOMPSON. 

